Harris holds lead heading into final week

AP via HeraldToday.com ^ | 31 August 2006 | BRENT KALLESTAD

[NautiNurse]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris holds a double-digit lead over her three opponents in the Republican race for the U.S. Senate nomination in Florida's Sept. 5 primary election, a new poll released Thursday showed.

Harris, who is serving her second term in Congress from a district representing the Sarasota area, was favored by 38 percent of 317 likely Republican voters in a random telephone survey taken between Aug. 23-28 by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. The survey reported a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.

William McBride, a 34-year-old Windermere attorney, was supported by 22 percent, while retired Navy admiral LeRoy Collins Jr., of Tampa was backed by 11 percent and Peter Monroe, a real estate developer from Safety Harbor, received 3 percent.

The winner of the GOP primary will face incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, in the Nov. 7 general election.

A fourth of the likely Republican voters questioned said they were still undecided and nearly a half, 45 percent, said they might change their minds by election day - including a third of those who said they presently favored Harris.

"If Rep. Harris had only one opponent she might be in deep trouble," said Peter Brown, assistant polling director for Quinnipiac. "But having three candidates splitting the anti-Harris vote is a major plus for her."

Harris was rated favorably by 36 percent while 25 percent viewed her unfavorably and another 22 percent said they had mixed opinions about the former Florida secretary of state, who gained notoriety for her role in the 2000 presidential election recount.

Her opponents are so poorly known by most voters that none were rated favorably by more than 18 percent of the respondents.

[Brilliant]

Well, actually, I did tell you that at the beginning of the thread. And my explanation was prompted by questions from other posters.

[RNO1]

Anyone who votes for McBride has just stabbed every single vet who came home under an American flag and gave their all....His walking under a Flag of Mexico holding a sign of a group that is associated with ANSWER..Speaks volumes to me...As a vet I am totally offended that anyone would support this individual over a conservative...I could care less what the other stances he holds...As a vet I only march under one Flag....That is the one that I served under....I could care less what his reason was....He lost his credibility with me....

[JohnnyZ]

Anyone who votes for McBride has just stabbed every single vet

Hyperbole much?

[NautiNurse]

His hyperbole doesn't hold a candle to your crock of Florida political propaganda.

[RNO1]

Your going around telling everyone to vote for McBride...Which Country is McBride running for elected office....Just maybe you have not seen as many body bags and caskets bearing Americans sent back to this Country as I have....Which flag do you support. I think just maybe you should ckeck out the candidate you support before you support them...If you don't like what this vet has to say..Well..This vet is going to vote for a Conservative that supports vets, supports the 2nd Amendment, Pro Life and rated over 90 percent conservative....Some want to just elect Republicans no matter if they are RINO's or not...Just so they can claim that we won a seat...Look what electing RINO's has gotten this country...Nothing..If we do not work to elect conservatives then we just My's well hang it up...The liberal media has told us every election that Katherine Harris cannot win...So far she has won everyone...I would rather lose voting for a conservative and win electing a RINO...Especially one that cannot decide which Country he wants to represent....

[RNO1]

Have you served in the Armed Forces of This Country? Every generation my family has served....Several have paid the price...Others are still paying...I will not vote for nor support anyone who is not conservative..I earned my right to Hyperbole long before you knew what the word even meant....

[JohnnyZ]

Which flag do you support.

Well, I have an American flag and a South Vietnamese flag hanging in my apartment.

They frequently fly the Vietnamese (freedom) flag at Vietnamese events I go to.

I sometimes dine under the Italian flag, as well.

[ripley]

ah......a beautiful woman with intelligence, intestinal
fortitude and integrity.

[JohnnyZ]

You can vote for whoever you prefer, of course.

But I am supporting McBride BECAUSE he is conservative and because he has some chance of getting elected, which Harris does not.

Heck, I think those who like Harris should vote for McBride to save Katherine another couple months of public humiliation. She's made herself into a total buffoon.

[NautiNurse]

We all know you won't be voting for McBride Tuesday September 5 or Tuesday November 7. And that is a good thing.

[RNO1]

I have two American Flags in my living room...One is rolled up with a picture of my Dad in it...One has a purple heart with a picture of my Uncle in it.Both are WWII Vets..My Dad has passed away..My Uncle was murdered after being captured by the Germans during and about the time of the battle of the bulge...I only served under the American but know the South Vietnamese Flag well.....Those are the only flags that I dine under....I use to get my hair cut by a South Viet Nam lady...Till she told me how sorry Americans were...What she left out was it was American GI's who got her out...I know that is not the norm because a South Vietnames soldier who put his life in danger to protect mine...Why would you want us to vote for McBride?? Right now the dynamics here in Florida are coming in to play...We have over 9000 individuals moving into this state each and every month...Most of them are moving here from Blue states...If we do not watch out we will only be electing Dems and not conservatives before long...My best friend in the Military dined under the Italian flag..He died from effects of Nam a few years ago..Two of my Nam friends here in Florida with out Katherine Harris might not ever have gotten help from the VA with out her//

[RNO1]

Becasue his website says he is conservative...That is the funniest thing I have heard all day....Then Johnny your need to refine your definition of being conservative....

[pleikumud]

Katherine Harris has very positive name recognition in FL, and voters will be relieved to send Bill Nelson back to the orange groves in November. Nelson represents the lunatic left, not Florida. Nelson has done nothing for FL voters during his time in Washington.

[tiredoflaundry]

placemark

[JohnnyZ]

Katherine Harris has very positive name recognition in FL

ROFLMAO :D :D :D :D

Harris has HIGH name recognition, but most people know her and dislike her.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

How can this be when the news reports have said all along that she has been losing support from the day she announced her candidacy? /rhetorical

[RNO1]

Who are most people...People in her district or who...It is easy to throw around liberal talking points but please point out just who that is....Please post something besides liberal polls....

[JohnnyZ]

Becasue his website says he is conservative...That is the funniest thing I have heard all day....

His website?

I would never want someone to cast a vote which they believe would betray their principles, but to the best of my knowledge McBride IS a conservative. He's pro-life and pro-family, and no one has disputed that. That is my #1 issue. I don't know of ANY politician with whom I fully agree on immigration, but I am comfortable with McBride. Most of my friends are immigrants; I believe they add a lot to this country, and I think our current system is about the worst possible, hard on legals and easy on illegals, and I would like to see that reversed for starters.

[NautiNurse]

to the best of my knowledge McBride IS a conservative.

and you know this because McBride's website and the St. Pete Times told you so. ROFL!

[NautiNurse]